Catapang confirms changes in key AFP commands

Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Gregorio Catapang on Saturday confirmed that there would be changes in command in some of the defense forces' top posts as several commanders are set to retire.

In a press conference in Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City, Catapang said the following AFP officials would retire:

• Western Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda (August)
• Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier Cruz III (September)
• Southern Luzon Command chief Lt. Gen. Caesar Ronnie Ordoyo (September)

“Of course upon their retirement they will be replaced. We're looking into some reorganization to make... the Armed Forces more effective in addressing new threats,” Catapang explained.

Although replacements have yet to be chosen, the AFP chief said the new commanders have to be attuned to global trends such as territorial defense and terrorism.

“You know we are just about to finish the internal security problem and then we have to shift to territorial defense,” he said. — Andrei Medina/DVM, GMA News